Faith Like Theirs: Finding Strength in the Lives of Christian Martyrs

I used to think stories of Christian martyrs were just that—stories. Distant.Unrelatable.

But lately, I’ve been sitting with them a little longer, letting their courage seep into the places where my own faith feels fragile.

These were real people. People who felt fear. People who probably had moments of doubt. And yet, when it mattered most, they stood firm. They weren’t promised comfort or safety. They weren’t given a clear rescue plan. But they were given the presence of God. And somehow, that was enough.

I may not be facing lions in an arena or prison for my faith, but I do face moments where choosing Jesus costs me something—approval, relationships, the ease of fitting in. And in those moments, I remember them. If they could hold fast in the hardest of trials, then surely, with God’s strength, I can hold fast in mine.

Their lives weren’t just about how they died—they were about how they lived.

And that encourages me to live with a little more boldness, a little more trust, and a whole lot more faith today.